The kindergarten classroom of Lisa Henson and Serena Odierno was like a bouncy house of red and pink Wednesday, as third graders paired up with their kindergarten “reading buddies” at The Colorado Springs School and poured their young healthy hearts into creating valentines for sick patients of Abode Hospice of Colorado.

The first-time project became a meeting of young and old souls, both of whom benefited from a dose of kindness that turned strangers into friends.

The group of 5- and 6-year-olds and 8- and 9-year-olds were instructed to make a Valentine’s Day card for an elderly friend or someone who maybe doesn’t receive many Valentine’s Day cards, said third-grade teacher Kayla Krakofsky, who helped organize the activity.

The task injected enthusiasm into the usual reading period that was overtaken by colorful construction paper, fun stickers, markets, crayons and colored pencils.

Kids were full of laughter and glee, Krakofsky said. “They were having a good time and so excited to be making the cards.”

Love was in the air. Not the romantic kind but the compassionate kind.

 “It was our community outreach project, and we wanted those who maybe don’t always get a Valentine’s Day card to feel special and loved for Valentine’s Day,” Krakofsky said.

Two groups of children handmade more than 100 cards over the past two weeks, she said.

Messages were simple but sweet: “Happy Valentine’s Day! “We Hope You Have a Great Valentine’s Day” and one uber-creative greeting, “I’m really snappy for you.”

The heart-shaped cards will be delivered to hospice patients across Colorado Springs starting Thursday, said Christal Ransom York, community liaison for Abode Hospice.

“When people are facing the end of life, love is important medicine,” she said. “In hospice care, any small gesture can lift spirits and bring comfort.”

Valentines are “a powerful reminder to our patients that they aren’t alone,” Ransom York said. “We believe that the kindness shown by these children can inspire others to be kind and think of others who are less fortunate.”

Children in the classes of Krakofsky and Jennifer Chamberlain, another third-grade teacher at the school, talked with their students about this important lesson: “We do good things because when we do good things, others feel warm and loved,” Krakofsky said.

Lower School students at the private preschool through high school established 65 years ago are now preparing for their annual Valentine’s Day bash on Friday, where they exchange valentines they made for their classmates and share treats.

“That the kids wanted to do something nice and went out of their way to do something kind is awesome,” Ransom York said.